Butte semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1886-1890, 1887-08-31
THE SPECIAL SESSION.

THE SPECIAL SESSION.
Elsewhere in our news columns We give
the full text OF Governor Leslie's message
to the legislature, now assembled in spe-
cial session. 1t is document that we can
co%nscientiously commend A. showing
thoughtful consideration for the best in
terests OF the Territory with which he has
so recently become prominently identified.
We believe that His Excellency is mis-
taken in his judgment, the result of bad
advisers, in urging legislation in the inter-
est of an insane asylum. While this mat
ter should be left to the future State, mas
much as the unfortunate insane are al
ready admitted to be well cared for, there
is a strong argument against opening up
this subject at this special ses-
sion. It will open the door
to all sorts of schemes and the special ses-
sion is likely to last through the statutory
limitation OF sixty days. If tbs insane
we're suffering there would be an emergency
for action at once. But they are not.
No where in the country are these unfor.
Inmates better cared for than at Warm
Springs. Then why. in the absence Of any
should the way be opened to
the special session to 60 beyond the rem
edial legislation necessary to meet the re-
quirements of the people OF this Territory.
new legislation is needed should
be left to the next regular session. whose
members will come fresh from the people,
on the new issues?
One of the main features OF the remedial
legislation contemplated in the Executive
call is the Bounty bill, the objective
phases OF which the Governor points out
terseness aid force. From the pres
emit outlook it is doubtful if this law can
be abolished, although it may be amended
to meet a part of the public requirements.
Under it's practical operations. as the Gov
shows, the Territorial Treasury has
been depleted, and a public debt is being
incurred. This is departing from a sound
financial policy on a trail which can but
lead to debt and to disaster. Something
should be lone to remedy this evil and to
stay the avaricious hand that is being laid
heavily on the Treasury box of the Ter.
-
The Governors recommendations on the
Revenue bill meets with our hearty appro-
baton. 1t was a legislative blunder of the
no cor sort nndor ITO pr0vicinnH a tho
Governor says, no taxes could be legally
collected. This defect should be remedied
at once. Also that feature of the law which
requires County Clerks to guarantee titles
in the transfer of realty. This is an exac-
ton which the rules of equity could not en-
force. The records themselves are open to
parties and furnish construc-
tive notice of defective titles to those who
lave occasion to examine them.
We like the tone of the Governors mes
sage on the license law. The regular ses-
sion in the face OF the Supreme Court
decision, to which their attention was pub.
licly called. put a tax on Montana drum
mers. This law should be repealed, that
our own drummers may at least have an
equal chance with those from the States.
There ought to be that much local patriot
in the souls of our Solons.
One of the features of the special session
will be the struggle between Freat Falls and
Benton on the division question. Benton
ia hr,o1inU division o-I fNroo% IL lie oro
it. The Great Falls people want
.hoteau cut in twain and the County OF
formed of one fragment of it.
The inspiration of this idea is that in the
of division Great Falls would be
made a county seat. Great Falls, not sat.
with the Rocky Mountain Canal,
would have the earth and a barb wire fence
it. The trouble about this division
business is that if the door is opened to the
lismemberment OF Choteau County. there
be no end to the schemes of like char
acter that will be sprung in every section OF
the Territory.
While we have great confidence in the
Judgment OF u correspondent at Helena
that the special session will be q long one,
We entertain the hope that it will not be.
A long session at this busy season of the
year would be a great Inconvenience to the
members, and would not subserve any
public interest. What is wanted and what
vas contemplated in the executive call, was
remedial legislation, and nothing but the
native modesty OF the Governor restrained
from restricting the legislation of tie
session to the repeal of some and the
amending OF other acts passed at the regu-
-
We hope that the recommendations OF
Leslie and the prompt action |
If the Legislature to introduce a bill for |
he punishment of train wreckers will be |
by the passage Of bill providing
or the punishment of such fends accord
ng to their deserts. A long sentence should
'e provided for the mere attempt and the
penalty in cases where life is sacri.
Train wreching is wholesale murder
md is the worst possible phase OF crime.